Grounded Gaffer's delight at O's win

Karl Robinson was ‘ecstatic’ with his players after their superb 6-1 success over Leyton Orient at stadiummk but insists there is still work to be done.

The Dons closed the gap on second place in Sky Bet League 1 to just one point courtesy of another terrific home triumph – the side’s sixth victory in their last seven games.

It was also the fourth time this season the men from MK1 scored six or more in a fixture.

“I’m ecstatic with the performance levels and the work ethic as well,” Robinson told MK Dons Player afterwards. “We were by far the better team from start to finish - for 90 minutes the players were excellent.

“It was pleasing to see us put in a performance like we did, at a time in the season where teams don’t tend to score many goals. The players really deserve to take a bow because they were magnificent.”

He continued: “Nobody else in the top seven, but us, won which consolidates our position in third. Now we want to try and track down second.

"It will still be an uphill challenge, we know that, because we’re the underdogs. We just have to keep doing what we have to do best, which is playing football. The players are playing with freedom and expression - this is the best football I’ve seen a Dons team play by far.”

On an afternoon where Dean Bowditch netted his fifth of the campaign, Will Grigg took his goal tally to 21 and Dele Alli bagged his 16th goal in 2014/15, it was Rob Hall who stole the headlines after netting his first senior hat-trick.

“It was great for Hally to get a hat-trick,” Dons boss Robinson added. “He’s a shy boy, a bit of an introvert, so I felt it was important he got the plaudits at the end of the game - he deserved it.”

Robinson’s Dons are in action on Tuesday night when they entertain Doncaster Rovers at stadiummk – fans who attended the games against Scunthorpe United or Leyton Orient can get half-price tickets, along with those who book for the clash against Yeovil Town.

To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office at stadiummk/kiosk at thecentre:mk or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be on sale until kick-off.